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Transport for NSW seeks partners to trial on-demand bus services

As part of its long term goal of testing the latest technologies that could improve transportation networks, the Australian state of New South Wales is looking for partners to help it trial on-demand buses.

Transport for NSW is now accepting expressions of interest to develop a series of pilot projects trialling public transport services that turn up when and where customers need them. Industry groups have an open invitation to pitch innovative models for on-demand services that offer more personalized and flexible technology-enabled solutions that improve the quality of life for customers across the state. The state agency is keen to evaluate operational models that would fall under the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) concept, with smartphone applications used to summon and pay for journeys on smaller transit vehicles. The agency is holding an information session this week on December 14, and expressions of interest in the On Demand Transport Pilot should be submitted to Transport for NSW by February 24, 2017. Following an evaluation period, all pilot programs are expected to be operational by the end of next year.

Transport for NSW’s customer services deputy secretary, Tony Braxton-Smith, said, “Partnering with industry leaders would put the agency at the forefront of the technology revolution. New and emerging technologies are changing the way that businesses operate, with customers now expecting to get what they want, when they want it, and transport needs to keep up. The beauty of on-demand services is that they could improve the convenience and reliability of public transport for all customers, not just those on main transport routes. Staying ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting the latest technologies is a priority for Transport for NSW, which is why we developed the Future Transport Technology Roadmap earlier this year.”

Braxton-Smith continued, “Cultivating more personalized and tailored services is a key target identified in the Roadmap, and this project is an important step toward that goal. Successful ideas will generate great opportunities for the market in future service contracts. The most innovative ideas often come through collaboration, which is why we want leaders in the technology and transport industries to work with us to develop a clever, creative solution.”